Jackie Olich Promoted to Vice President of University Collaborations

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — Jacqueline (Jackie) Olich, PhD, the founding Director of University Collaboration at RTI International, a non-profit research institute, has been promoted to Vice President of University Collaborations.

Established in 2014, RTI's University Collaboration Office (UCO) serves as a hub for outreach at the university level, focused on developing and managing partnerships with leading academic institutions, worldwide. In her new role, Olich will continue to establish networks to link ideas and people and oversee the RTI University Scholars Program as well as the RTI Internship Program. Olich led RTI’s participation in the Duke University-RTI Funds Launching Alliances for Research Exploration (FLARE), the NC State University Game-Changing Research Incentive Program (GRIP), and the RTI-UNC Gillings Initiative to Maximize Partnerships and Catalyze Teamwork (IMPACT).

“Since its inception, the UCO has enhanced growth, diversification and scientific stature by creating and cultivating academic partnerships, worldwide.” said Jim Gibson, Executive Vice President and COO of RTI. “Jackie has provided outstanding leadership and I have no doubt that this promotion will strengthen and excel RTI’s UCO.”

Olich joined RTI in 2014 and was previously a member of the Graduate Faculty, Director of Graduate Studies in Russian and East European Studies and Associate Director of the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill’s Center for Slavic, Eurasian and East European Studies.

“I am excited to continue to contribute to RTI’s success and mission through this new position,” said Olich. “The UCO team is committed to working hand in hand with academic institutions across the globe and continuing to expand and cultivate these relationships.  Partnering with universities will continue to be important for RTI.  We are always scanning for opportunities and identifying potential partners.”

Notably, Olich is a member of the 2016-2017 class of Leadership North Carolina (LNC) and received the Triangle Business Journal 2017 Women in Business Award, in recognition of her commitment to mentoring. In addition to her work at RTI, Olich has spoken at over 60 conference sessions and workshops and has been published in a variety of academic publications. Olich attended Lafayette College in Easton, PA, and received her PhD in History from UNC Chapel Hill.